The 2021 NHL Draft was an exciting event for hockey fans, and the Kraken made some great selections. The Kraken, Seattle’s new NHL franchise, had the second overall pick in the draft and used it to select center Shane Wright from the Ontario Hockey League.
Wright was the first overall pick in the OHL Priority Selection in 2019 and is considered one of the best prospects in the draft. He had an impressive season with the Kingston Frontenacs, scoring 39 goals and adding 61 assists in just 54 games. He was also named the OHL Rookie of the Year for his performance.
The Kraken followed up their selection of Wright by selecting defenseman Simon Kubicek from the Czech Republic with their fourth overall pick. Kubicek is a big, physical defenseman who is known for his strong defensive play. He has represented his country at international tournaments and is expected to be a key part of the Kraken’s blue line for years to come.
The Kraken also selected forward Logan Stankoven from the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers with their fifth overall pick. Stankoven is a dynamic offensive player who had a breakout season in 2020-21, scoring 33 goals and adding 43 assists in just 56 games. He is expected to be a key part of the Kraken’s offensive attack for years to come.
The Kraken also selected forward Ryder Korczak from the WHL’s Moose Jaw Warriors with their sixth overall pick. Korczak is a two-way forward who is known for his strong defensive play. He had an impressive season in 2020-21, scoring 16 goals and adding 40 assists in just 56 games.
The Kraken rounded out their draft selections by selecting goaltender Blake Lyda from the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints with their seventh overall pick. Lyda is a big goaltender who is known for his athleticism and quick reflexes. He had an impressive season in 2020-21, posting a 2.45 GAA and .922 save percentage in 33 games.
Overall, the Kraken made some great selections in the 2021 NHL Draft. They added some great young talent to their roster, including Shane Wright, Simon Kubicek, Logan Stankoven, Ryder Korczak, and Blake Lyda. These players are expected to be key contributors for the Kraken for years to come and help them build a successful franchise in Seattle.
